French Ambassador to Nigeria , Mr .
Denys Gauer, has said Nigerian Jollof, is
his best food.


Jollof rice is one of the most common
dishes in the whole of West Africa.
The food which is believed to have
originated from the region of Wollof
speaking people, which happens to be
northwestern Senegal , The Gambia , and
southwestern coastal Mauritania , is
arguably the best known African dish
outside the continent .


Gauer, who spoke with News Agency of
Nigeria in Abuja on Thursday said,
“ Jollof rice is my best Nigerian food;
maybe because I find it everywhere I go
in Nigeria .’’


The envoy said further that the country
was blessed with a rich cultural
heritage that attracts foreigners ,
especially its food.


“ I remember a year ago when I
attended the annual yam festival
organised by the Ogidi community in
Kogi . I had a wonderful time and I saw
and appreciated the display of their
cultural performances especially the
presentation of the new yam .
“ The cultural display in the two days
event showed that the festival was a
moment to showcase the tourism
potentials abundant in that area ,’’ he
said.


Guaer, who spoke further on the state
of the nation ’s tourism sector, said that
basic infrastructures were needed to
develop it .
He said that tourism was an income
generating sector and would create job
opportunities for the youths adding
that , tourism was a contributing factor
to France’ s GDP .


“ Tourism and gastronomy (food) are
very important sectors in France
because it contributes to the GDP .
“ The food sector is an art, it also
contributes to the economy and it
provides a lot of activities , jobs and
wealth creation in the country .
“ In Nigeria , tourism still remains
underdeveloped and there is a lot to be
shown in the sector but it just a pity
because the infrastructures are still not
in place.


“ Nevertheless, Nigeria is progressing
especially in the area of cuisines ,
because I notice there are more good
restaurants here in Abuja , Lagos and
other cities in the country .
“ But , what the country needs is more
vocational training and we hope with
such events as “ The chef ’ s taste
challenge ’’ and promotion, it would
attract more people and create more
interest in the sector.


The envoy added that the teeming
youths in the country can be engaged
in studies about the art of cooking
maybe in France or elsewhere.
He expressed optimism that the sector
could be developed to generate jobs in
Nigeria .